Signification
To remember something once and for all.
Contexte culturel
In Ukrainian culture, the 'nose' is often featured in idioms (e.g., 'задирати носа' - to be arrogant). This reflects a focus on facial expressions and physical presence in social communication. The use of 'tally sticks' (the original 'noses') was common across Slavic lands for centuries, making this idiom a shared cultural heritage with variations in Polish and Russian. Today, you might see this phrase in memes or social media posts where someone is 'schooling' another person on a basic fact or political reality. Traditional Ukrainian education was quite strict. This idiom captures the 'tough love' approach of older generations teaching life lessons to the youth.
Use with 'собі'
Always include 'собі' to sound more natural. It emphasizes that the person is taking the lesson into their own mind.
Don't use with superiors
Never say this to your boss or a person of higher status unless you have a very close, informal relationship. It can sound like you are scolding them.
Signification
To remember something once and for all.
Use with 'собі'
Always include 'собі' to sound more natural. It emphasizes that the person is taking the lesson into their own mind.
Don't use with superiors
Never say this to your boss or a person of higher status unless you have a very close, informal relationship. It can sound like you are scolding them.
The 'Soon' Trap
Remember: 'Екзамени на носі' (Exams are soon) vs 'Зарубай на носі' (Remember this). Don't mix them up!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Зарубай ______ на ______: завжди мий руки перед їжею.
The standard form is 'зарубай собі на носі'.
Which situation is most appropriate for this idiom?
When would you say 'Зарубай собі на носі'?
It is an informal warning used for important reminders.
Match the idiom with its meaning.
Match the following:
Each idiom has a specific nuance regarding memory.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
— Я знову забув ключі вдома. — Скільки можна? Тобі треба ______!
The phrase emphasizes the need to stop forgetting.
Match the register to the sentence.
Which one is INFORMAL?
The idiom is inherently informal.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesЗарубай ______ на ______: завжди мий руки перед їжею.
The standard form is 'зарубай собі на носі'.
When would you say 'Зарубай собі на носі'?
It is an informal warning used for important reminders.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Each idiom has a specific nuance regarding memory.
— Я знову забув ключі вдома. — Скільки можна? Тобі треба ______!
The phrase emphasizes the need to stop forgetting.
Which one is INFORMAL?
The idiom is inherently informal.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt can be. It's firm and authoritative. Depending on the tone, it can range from a helpful warning to a stern scolding.
Rarely. It's usually for rules, warnings, or lessons learned from mistakes. You wouldn't say it for 'Remember that I love you.'
Yes, it is a very common idiom that almost every native speaker uses and understands.
If you are talking to many people, say 'Зарубайте собі на носі'. The 'nose' stays singular because each person has one nose.
Yes, 'Запам'ятайте, будь ласка' (Please remember) or 'Майте на увазі' (Keep in mind).
Because of the historical 'tally sticks' called noses. It's a linguistic coincidence that 'nose' also means the facial organ.
Yes: 'Ти це зарубаєш собі на носі після сьогоднішнього дня' (You will remember this once and for all after today).
No, it is standard across all regions of Ukraine.
No, that would mean chopping on *my* nose, which makes no sense idiomatically.
Yes! It's a great way to sound more like a native speaker, just be careful with the context.
Expressions liées
Намотати на вус
similarTo take note of something for future use.
Вбити собі в голову
similarTo fix an idea firmly in one's mind.
Вилетіти з голови
contrastTo completely forget something.
Закарбувати в пам'яті
synonymTo engrave in memory.
